Environmental Protection Agency November 26, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Office of Mission Support (OMS) is giving notice that it proposes to modify a system of records pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974. The Federal Retirement Benefits Calculator is being modified to update the categories of records in the system, collect leave data and change the name of the system to Federal Human Resource Navigator (FedHR Navigator). The purpose of the FedHR Navigator system is to integrate employees benefits and retirement information into one central database. The application allows EPA employees to access personnel and benefits related information that will be used by EPA employees to calculate their retirement benefits. All exemptions and provisions included in the previously published Federal Retirement Benefits Calculator system of record notice will transfer to the modified system of record notice for FedHR Navigator.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The revision updates Allegheny County's portion of the Pennsylvania SIP, which includes regulations concerning sulfur content in fuel oil. This revision pertains to the reduction of the maximum allowable sulfur content limit for Number 2 (No. 2) and lighter commercial fuel oil, generally sold and used for residential and commercial furnaces and oil heat burners for home or space heating, water heating or both, from the current limit of 500 parts per million (ppm) to 15 ppm. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action on all or portions of four state implementation plan (SIP) revisions submitted by California (``State'') to address Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'') requirements for the 2012 fine particulate matter (``PM2.5'') national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or ``standards'') and for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) PM2.5 nonattainment area. Specifically, the EPA is approving all but the contingency measure element of the submitted ``Moderate'' area plan for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS, as updated by the submitted ``Serious'' area plan and related supplement to the State strategy, as meeting all applicable Moderate area plan requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. In addition, the EPA is approving 2022 motor vehicle emissions budgets for use in transportation conformity analyses for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. The EPA is disapproving the contingency measure element with respect to the Moderate area requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. The EPA is also reclassifying the SJV PM2.5 nonattainment area, including reservation areas of Indian country and any other area of Indian country within it where the EPA or a tribe has demonstrated that the tribe has jurisdiction, as a Serious nonattainment area for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS based on the EPA's determination that the area cannot practicably attain the standard by the applicable Moderate area attainment date of December 31, 2021. As a consequence of this reclassification, California is required to submit a Serious area plan for the area that includes a demonstration of attainment by the applicable Serious area attainment date, which is no later than December 31, 2025, or by the most expeditious alternative date practicable. However, we note that California has already submitted such Serious area plan, which the EPA will address in a separate rulemaking. Lastly, the EPA is disapproving the contingency measure element in the Serious area plan for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision to the Mecklenburg County portion of the North Carolina SIP, hereinafter referred to as the Mecklenburg County Local Implementation Plan (LIP). The revision was submitted through the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ), on behalf of Mecklenburg County Air Pollution Control (MCAQ), via a letter dated April 24, 2020, which was received by EPA on June 19, 2020. This SIP revision includes changes to Mecklenburg County Air Pollution Control Ordinance (MCAPCO) rules incorporated into the LIP regarding performance testing for stationary sources of air pollution. EPA is proposing to approve these changes pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Georgia through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) on July 2, 2020, to address the base year emissions inventory requirements for the 2015 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the Atlanta, Georgia 2015 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereinafter referred to as the ``Atlanta Area''). These requirements apply to all ozone nonattainment areas. This action is being proposed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).